~ July 2025 ~

Hello CVOA,

Greetings CVOA members

Summer is finally upon us with warmer, hotter and more humid days. Enjoying four quite different seasons is one of the reasons we live in New England. So get out and enjoy the summer as often as you can.

Over the next several months CVOA has quite a few interesting activities on the calendar as described later in this Newsletter. I hope many of you will join the fun of being outdoors with fellow members at some of them. If you have any ideas for an outdoor activity please contact the Activities Committee by emailing Tracy at cvoa.secretary@gmail.com.

The CVOA Board had a meeting on June 29 with a brief summary included below.

Steve Smith

A productive and enjoyable Board Meeting was held June 29 at the lovely lakeside home of Val and Sam Hudspath. Thank you to them, once again, for hosting our summer meeting. The rain was a no show, and it was most pleasant to sit on their outside patio and conduct the business of CVOA. As always, we ate well thanks to the contributions from everyone. Attending were Officers and Board members: Thom Johnston, Tom Augat, Tracy Goller, Sam Hudspath, Diane Stone, Josh Cutler, Laurie Manos, Chris Newell, Jayne Giles, Ray Stone and Mark Green. Joining by Zoom (as long as it phone power lasted!) were Steve and Elaine Smith and Gerry Michaud. Also attending were members Jeannette and Mike Parker, Barbara and Rick Ray, Gayle Maroon, Val Hudspath, Jackie Augat, Christine Newell, and Patti Johnston. It was very nice to have members at large participate.

Topics on the agenda were reports from the President, Treasurer, Range, Ski Trips, Summer and Fall events and activities, and the Homecoming Table. Future needs for software updates for our record keeping and communications were also discussed. Reimbursement for hosts providing food for an event was raised from up to $5/person to $10/person. 

The next Board meeting will be Sunday, October12 3-5pm at the Range following the BBQ. Members are always welcome to attend Board meetings.

July 2025

July 5 - 5 Stand shoot open to the public 9:00-12:00

July 5 - Holbrook Harbor Raft Up Castine ME

July 6 - Trap Shoot open to the public 9:00-12:00

July 8 - Intro to Birding Show & Go Sugarloaf Outdoor Center 8am

July 12 - 5 Stand shoot open to the public 9:00-12:00

July 13 - Trap Shoot open to the public 9:00-12:00

July 19- 5 Stand shoot open to the public 9:00-12:00

July 20 -Trap Shoot open to the public 9:00-12:00

July 26 - 5 Stand shoot open to the public 9:00-12:00

July 27 - Trap Shoot open to the public 9:00-12:00

Click here: 2025-26 CVOA Calendar

Happy July Everyone!! As of June 26 there are 979 members of CVOA! 452 of those members are also members of the Neal Trask Range.

Welcome to our newest members:

Joseph & Susan Alexander

Nicholas Young

John Stolz

If you ever have questions about your membership, please contact me directly at either of these email addresses:

CVOA.membership@gmail.com

Johnston.patti63@gmail.com

Patti Johnston

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AUSTRIA

January 31 - February 7, 2026 

Group size 12-14

Discover some of Europe's best Nordic skiing in the stunning Leutasch Valley, situated northwest of Innsbruck in Austria's Tirol region. With over 150 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, and over 140 miles of cleared winter walking trails, it is a wonderful area to enjoy Nordic skiing at its best.

Click on the photo/brochure on right for the trip details and instructions on how you can submit your application. Please read carefully and submit your application as specified. 



Contact Pam Twaddel for more information

ptwaddel@gmail.com

207-542-7131

MONT TREMBLANT QUEBEC

March 8 - March 12, 2026

CVOA will be Skiing Mont Tremblant again in 2026!!

Mont Tremblant Resort is located north of Montreal and has a wide range of ski trails and lifts. The resort includes a Village with many restaurants and shops.

Twenty eight (28) members have already joined the trip, and there is room for 12 more in 6 available rooms. Please note that at this time only Deluxe Rooms are available, but if you desire the Executive Suite we can inquire if there are any available.

Click on the photo/brochure on right for the trip details and instructions on how you can submit your application. Please read carefully and submit your application as specified.

Trip Leaders-Elaine & Steve Smith golfski@maine.rr.com 

Bike, Barge & Cruise in Germany

May 17 - 25, 2026

Bike, Barge & Cruise the mighty ‘father’ Rhine, the ever-romantic Moselle, and beautiful rivers of the Saar. Explore the city's of Trier and Cologne.

Click on the photo/brochure on right for the trip details.

If you are interested in this trip please contact Muffy immediately. Several people have let me know of their interest, but we need more to book the whole boat (24 people) which I think would be really fun. If you need more info, please contact me as soon as possible. After July 1, if we don’t have enough people, I will reach out to those who have expressed interest to see if they would be interested doing this as a smaller group.

Muffy Witham, Trip Leader

muffyw52@gmail.com

🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️Tuesday June 17 🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️

Diadema Golf Club

Twenty three (23) CVOA golfers took on the Diadema 9 hole course in North Anson. It is a sweet hidden gem of a course complete with the BUNKER TO HADES on Hole #6, at least that's what I call it. It was a blue sky day with just the right amount of wind to blow the bugs away but not the golf balls.  

Tee times began at 10 am with Diane and Ray Stone playing with Chris Newell and Chris Paradis. I had to send them out first because Diane has a very long drive. With her mighty 4 iron drive off the 9th tee she would set the mark for the longest drive. Little did I expect it would not just be for the women but the men too. WAY to go Diane. 

Every ten minutes a group would go out, Sue and Allen Fraser played with Paul and Linda Trueworthy. Patti and Thom Johnston played with Maria Lucia. Jeannette and Mike Parker played with Don and Barbara Hathorn. Next up came Charlotte Pease and her crew of Jan Doherty, Kathy McVane and Helen Poulin. and last but not least were Nancy Makin, Rich Anderson with Joe and Doris Tutlis.

Winners of the Longest Drive on hole #9 were Diane Stone and Joe Tutlis. Winner of closest to the pin on #8 was Tom Johnston only 9 inches from the cup. WAY TO GO THOM!!. We were all hoping for a hole-in-one for free drinks all around. Patti has pictures if you need verification. 

After the golfing was completed all stayed for lunch and got caught up on CVOA happenings. It was a lot of fun so keep your calendar open for next year. 

Valerie Hudspath,pvsam1@twc.com

Raft Up Adventure at Holbrook Harbor

Saturday July 5

Let’s Take CVOA to the Water



We are having a raft up in Holbrook Harbor on July 5th, rain date the 6th. We’ll gather on whatever boats we can raft up together around 3:00 for pot luck munchies and beverages after individual activities. Anyone with a boat can join us. If you don’t have a boat you can drive to the Holbrook Island Sanctuary and boaters can pick you up - or you can tag along with a boater to join the fun.

Holbrook is located just south of Castine in Penobscot Bay.  Holbrook Sanctuary has wonderful hiking trails, beautiful beaches and is a great harbor for anchoring. Holbrook Island is also accessible with a boat - dinghy, kayak or canoe. Learn more about Holbrook here:

https://www.friendsofholbrookisland.org/

Please RSVP ASAP. We’ve heard from a few folks informally so a confirming email would be appreciated. Let us know if you will be joining by boat or if you need a lift.

CVOA.Secretary@gmail.com 

Bird Watching Show & Go Event

Sugarloaf Outdoor Center

Tuesday July 8 at 8am

Introduction to Birding — Show & Go Event

Over 230 bird species have been documented in Franklin county—let's meet some of them! This introduction to birding will be tailored to skiers… there is more in common than you might think. All fledgling birders will benefit, skier or not.

We'll start with the basics of bird identification, offer tips on where to go birding around Carrabassett, and walk around the Outdoor Center pond to see what birds we can identify.

Meet at the Outdoor Center at 8 am, bring binoculars if you have them.

If you have questions please contact me.

Tim Flight

tflight@systemfolder.com

Coastal Kayak Paddle

Brunswick

Monday August 4 at 9;30am

Join us for a leisurely paddle from Mere Point Boat Launch to Birch Island. We will follow the island shoreline to the Norton Preserve where we will go ashore. Bring water and snacks. Picnic tables and hiking trail.  

Departing the Trueworthy's approximately 9:30 AM. A BBQ lunch at the Trueworthy's follows the paddle .

Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share.

This is a weather dependant event, If necessary, it will be rescheduled same week, another day.

Reply 207-208-7305 to attend.

7 Wenger Lane

Brunswick 04011

Hosted by Linda and Paul Trueworthy

🚴🚴‍♂️ Kennebec River Rail Trail Bike Ride 🚴🚴‍♂️

Wednesday August 20 at 10:30am

Join us for a 13.9 mile round trip ride on the Kennebec River Rail Trail. The route is from Gardiner to Augusta, with a restaurant stop for lunch at the Quarry Tap Room in Hallowell. Great photo ops in Hallowell with colorful Adirondack Chairs, nice river views, and a turn around by the old Federal Building in Augusta. The Quarry Tap Room offers a variety of lunch offerings with plenty of outside tables. There’s an ice cream shop in town too! 

Join us on Wednesday, August 20, at Gardiner Landing boat ramp & park on Water Street in Gardiner at 10:30 AM. Hope to see you there!

Trip Leaders Glenn & Peggy Bickford

glenpegbic@aol.com

pegbic150@gmail.com

Stonington Outing

September 9, 10 & 11



CVOA is having an outing this September in Stonington, Maine. More details will follow in the coming months. There will be a number of activities that members can enjoy, including golf, tennis, hiking, biking, boating, exploring Isle au Haut, beautiful beaches and much more. 

We are letting members know of this event now because there are limited options for people to stay. The number of nights that you stay is up to you. Stonington and Deer Isle have become a popular destination for weddings, reunions and vacations, especially throughout the summer and fall. 

You should consider making your reservations soon. Be sure to verify the property’s cancellation policy, should your plans change.

CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF NEARBY ACCOMODATIONS

Wednesday, September 10 @ 4:00

Backyard BBQ @ 16 North Seabreeze

Stay tuned for details/updates 

Trip leaders

Mike & Jeannette Parker and other CVOA members that reside in the area. 

Welcome Summer with a Bang!

Our clay shooting season is here! We will host 5 Stand Shoots every Saturday and Trap Shoots every Sunday starting at 9am until noon (or when all shooters are done, so come early) These shoots are open to the public, so bring your friends! This is not a competition and beginners are welcome. It's a great way to learn or practice these shooting sports.

Also, check out our targets on the Pistol and Rifle Ranges. We have new metal and paper target options. Remember, if the Pistol Range is busy and one of the Rifle Ranges is empty, it is permissible to walk up to the targets and shoot handgun on the Rifle Ranges.

Unfortunately we were not able to fill our Handgun and RSO courses so the instructors opted to reschedule for the Fall. We will let you know the dates when we get them. In the interim, if you are still interested in becoming an RSO on behalf of the Range, contact me. We have an optional USSCA certified on-line course that can be taken at your own pace. I can give interested members more details.

______________________________________________________________

As a range member, your guests are welcome. Shooting guests should sign the green Day Use waiver form and pay $10/day. Non shooting guests need not sign in, but it is the responsibility of the member to ensure all posted rules are followed. Any questions, please contact me.

I hope to see our Range Members enjoying our other CVOA events. Come meet old friends and make new ones. CVOA folks know how to have fun any time of year.

Enjoy our beautiful Range and be safe!

Diane Stone

Range Secretary

CVOA.range@gmail.com

207-240-4752

To foster and promote the conservation of our natural resources

and the creation of recreational opportunities in our region.